
Trump's G7 departure might have prevented round of Kananaskis golf, says course manager
Article content
U.S. President Donald Trump's desire to shoot some golf in Kananaskis might have been pre-empted by his early exit from the G7 summit in Kananaskis, says the local course manager.
Article content
The leaders of the G7 countries and the EU had gathered for dinner and a group photo shoot at the Kananaskis Country Golf Course when the facility's general manager, Darren Robinson, escorted Trump into the clubhouse.
Article content
Article content
Article content
'He asked me if I was a good golfer and I said, 'I'm not as good as you,'' said Robinson, who has been a fixture at the course for nearly three decades.
Article content
Article content
'We talked about him wishing he had more time and could play there but said he had other matters to attend to. I walked him into the dining room and that's where we parted.'
Article content
Trump left following the dinner and so-called family photo, heading back to Calgary where he boarded Air Force One to return to Washington D.C., where he met with U.S. security officials on the conflict between Israel and Iran.
Article content
Robinson said he interacted with all of the leaders, singling out French President Emmanuel Macron for his congenial manner.
Article content
'Macron was unbelievably engaging, just a gentleman — he had a sense of humour — and in that brief interaction I got to see a person who cared about the people around him, including my team, where he thanked them for the dinner and our kindness,' he said.
Article content
Article content
In pre-G7 preparations, Robinson said he learned Macron wasn't a golfer but enjoyed boxing.
Article content
Article content
'But I told him I wasn't interested in going into the boxing ring with him and he had a good laugh and he asked if I was a skier,' said Robinson.
Article content
The world leaders dined on a menu emphasizing Canadian ingredients and dishes, including sturgeon caviar, Alberta wagyu beef, Atlantic lobster and a dessert of deconstructed Nanaimo bars.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Canada Standard
an hour ago
- Canada Standard
Canada's intelligence agency CSIS confirms Khalistani extremism on its soil
Ottawa [Canada], June 19 (ANI): For the first time ever, Canada's premier intelligence agency, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) officially acknowledged that Khalistani extremists are using Canadian soil to promote, fundraise, and plan violence in India. CSIS released its annual report on Wednesday, outlining some key concerns and threats to Canada's national security. Canada intelligence agency CSIS report categorically states, 'Khalistani extremists continue to use Canada as a base for the promotion, fundraising or planning of violence primarily in India.' India has been raising concerns about Khalistani extremists operating from Canadian soil for years, but Canada had largely turned a blind eye to the issue. The CSIS report confirmed that Canada has become a safe haven for anti-India elements, validating India's concerns that have been raised for years. This comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney 'agreed to take calibrated steps to restore stability to the relationship' and decided to restore High Commissioners to each other's capitals. At the G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and both leaders agreed to designate new high commissioners, with a view to returning to regular services to citizens and businesses in both countries, according to a press release from the Prime Minister of Canada. The Politically Motivated Violent Extremism (PMVE) threat in Canada has manifested primarily through Canada-based Khalistani extremists (CBKEs) seeking to create an independent nation state called Khalistan, largely within Punjab in India. The report noted that since the mid-1980s, the PMVE threat in Canada has manifested primarily through CBKEs. 'A small group of individuals are considered Khalistani extremists because they continue to use Canada as a base for the promotion, fundraising or planning of violence primarily in India. In particular, real and perceived Khalistani extremism emerging from Canada continues to drive Indian foreign interference activities in Canada,' the report reads. This revelation, part of CSIS's latest annual report, has reignited concerns about foreign interference and extremist activity within Canada, particularly in the context of its sensitive diplomatic relationship with India. Canada's own intelligence security has confirmed what New Delhi has long maintained -- Canada has become a safe haven for anti-India elements. The report called for sustained vigilance against both external influence campaigns and domestic extremist financing networks 'These activities attempt to steer Canada's positions into alignment with India's interests on key issues, particularly with respect to how the Indian government perceives Canada-based supporters of an independent homeland that they call Khalistan,' added the report. Tensions escalated further when former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed that his government had 'credible allegations' of India's involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada in 2023. India has strongly denied the allegations, terming them 'absurd' and 'motivated,' and has accused Canada of giving space to extremist and anti-India elements. In the aftermath, India recalled six diplomats from Canada after they were declared 'persons of interest' by Canadian authorities investigating Nijjar's killing. Nijjar was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023. 'Links between the Government of India and the Nijjar murder signals a significant escalation in India's repression efforts against the Khalistan movement and a clear intent to target individuals in North America, Wednesday's report read. 'Real and perceived Khalistani extremism emerging from Canada continues to drive Indian foreign interference activities in Canada, the report added. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney faced criticism for inviting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 summit, with some Sikh advocates and his own MPs expressing disapproval. However, Carney defended his decision, citing India's significance in global affairs. Carney emphasized India's status as the world's fourth-largest economy and most populous country, making it a crucial player in addressing global challenges. (ANI)


Toronto Sun
2 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Letters to the Editor, June 19, 2025
Thursday letters Photo by Illustration / Toronto Sun TRUMP THE CAT, CARNEY THE MOUSE Donald Trump using 'Mark' instead of Prime Minister Carney shows that Trump sees a very weak man — he does it more subtly than he did for Justin Trudeau! Trump's still playing Carney — he sees a weakness in Carney. Carney looks completely out of his depth and Trump sees it! I look at Trump the cat, Carney the little mouse! This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Shelley Carrington Jempson (This encounter does not bode well for Canada getting a favourable trade deal with the U.S. But things can change) ADMIRATION IN HIS EYE When I was 10 years old in 1944, I had worked with my father collecting metal to help in the Second World War drive. My father was so proud of me he bought a used Schwinn, balloon tire, longhorn handle bar bicycle for me, I would be the most popular in my neighbourhood. When dad was talking, I looked up at him as the greatest man who ever lived. An old photo shows me fixated at my father in such an adoring gaze — he was my hero, he was the strength, the idol, the person I always wanted to be. He was the person I would follow anywhere. Now, Donald Trump was answering questions outside of the G7 meeting explaining why he had to leave early. Look at the video. Look at the photo. Look at Carney's face, his expression, his complete unashamed adoration for the man who was talking. Carney's look was that of a follower of their hero, a complete worshipping, hanging on every word as if the president was proclaiming a new gospel for politicians. That look, that adoring gaze, the unspoken commitment by Carney that like a faithful disciple, he would follow Trump anywhere. Carney looked at Trump the same as I looked at my father many years ago. We all have heroes, Carney openly showed his hero is Donald Trump. Russ Sanders Ennismore, Ont. (It was quite pathetic compared to what we heard Carney say during the election — elbows up etc. etc. What he is learning is governing is complex and nuanced) NHL Canada Soccer Columnists Canada


Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
New Hampshire's Juneteenth celebration culminates with dance event
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) — By the time the drumming and dancing starts Thursday, an organization that promotes African American history and culture in New Hampshire will have hosted nearly a dozen events to celebrate Juneteenth. The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire's weekslong celebration will culminate with the rededication of the African Burying Ground Memorial Park in Portsmouth and a community dance. But those who planned the history tours, community discussions and other events to commemorate June 19, 1865 — the day Union solders brought the news of freedom to enslaved Black people in Texas — also were looking ahead to next year's 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Executive Director JerriAnne Boggis said her organization and other partners want to highlight contradictions in the familiar narratives about the nation's founding fathers. 'Although they are historically courageous, smart men, they were also human. They held people in bondage. They had children with their enslaved,' she said. 'What would the story look like if the story of America was told from these Black descendants?' Juneteenth has been celebrated by Black Americans for generations, but became more widely celebrated after former President Joe Biden designated it a federal holiday in 2021. It is recognized at least as an observance in every state, and nearly 30 states and Washington, D.C., have designated it as a permanent paid or legal holiday through legislation or executive action. But this year's celebrations come as President Donald Trump has banned diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, or DEI, in the federal government and removed content about Black American history from federal websites. The White House said last week that plans for a Juneteenth event or proclamation this year have not been decided. During his first administration, Trump issued statements each June 19, including one that ended with 'On Juneteenth 2017, we honor the countless contributions made by African Americans to our Nation and pledge to support America's promise as the land of the free.' The bitter national debates about Trump's travel ban and DEI initiatives haven't overshadowed celebrations of the end of slavery in the U.S., however, and events are happening around the country Thursday. New Hampshire, one of the nation's whitest states, is not among those with a permanent Juneteenth holiday, and Boggis said her hope that lawmakers would take action is waning. 'I am not so sure anymore given the political environment we're in,' she said. 'I think we've taken a whole bunch of steps backwards in understanding our history, civil rights and inclusion.' Still, she hopes New Hampshire's events and others elsewhere will make a difference. 'It's not a divisive tool to know the truth. Knowing the truth helps us understand some of the current issues that we're going through,' she said. And if spreading that truth comes with a bit of fun, all the better, she said. 'When we come together, when we break bread together, we enjoy music together, we learn together, we dance together, we're creating these bonds of community,' she said. 'As much was we educate, we also want to celebrate together.'